Réada Cronin (Kildare North, Sinn Fein)

From speaking to businesses across my constituency in north Kildare, the price of electricity is a danger to indigenous growth. Small businesses such as shops have raised their prices to keep their freezers running, which is having a huge effect.

I have a question for Chambers Ireland on energy supply versus foreign direct investment. Chambers Ireland claims the secure supply of energy is essential for businesses and communities and that the State will lose its attractiveness for FDI if a steady stream is not secured. This statement kind of contradicts itself.

We know that the amount of energy that is going into data centres has placed a huge demand on the grid. We do not have the infrastructure to meet the demand for supply. Does Chambers Ireland recognise the impact these data centres are having on the grid and accept that our economy needs to move away from our reliance on FDI as a source of income?